DeMarcus Lawrence is rarely at a loss for words.
But as he spoke about becoming the highest paid player in Cowboys history, as he reflected on the journey that led to a five-year, $105 million deal, he found it difficult to sort through all of his emotions.
"It's just humbling to be in this position and thank God for everything he has put me through," Lawrence said at Tuesday afternoon's news conference. "Going through the back surgeries and stuff, I thought my career was over. Before I even made a couple of sacks, I thought I would never see this day.
"I am blessed just to be here, let alone just taking it all in.
"It's a lot."
No player in franchise history has averaged more than the $21 million that Lawrence does in this contract. The guarantee of $65 million through the first three years is also the highest.
When Lawrence and Stephen Jones spoke late last week, the Cowboys executive vice president told the Pro Bowl defensive end that while he wanted to be fair and pay him as much as he could, he needed to do it within the construct of paying the other top players on the roster.
Lawrence replied that wasn't his concern. His concern and obligation was to make sure he's in top notch shape to go out on Sundays to help the Cowboys win.
It was up to Jones to figure out how to make it work. That's his job.
"That is what he told me," Jones said laughing.
Lawrence not only wanted the respect that comes with a contract of this size, he wanted to be able to do with the Cowboys.
"It was very important," Lawrence said. "That's one thing players don't like to see, people with less talent or you know what I'm saying, less play-making skills, getting paid more than them.
"Like I said it was truly a blessing to be able to get this deal done and to be a Cowboy for a long time."
Lawrence willingly played on the franchise tag in 2018 but let it be known that wouldn't be the case if the club kept the tag ($20.5 million) on him for another year rather than working out a long-term deal. He was asked if he followed how running back Le'Veon Bell handled his second tag, refusing to play for Pittsburgh last season while forcing his way out of town.
"We ain't got to worry about that," said Lawrence, who would have reported before the first game if the tag was still in place. "It ain't going to be no Le'Veon situation.
"I'm not skipping $20 mil for nobody."
Lawrence intends to celebrate the new contract with family and friends on Tuesday night. On Wednesday he's scheduled to undergo surgery for a torn left labrum, a procedure that will likely land him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to open camp as he works his way back to hopefully be ready for the season opener.
"I will definitely be ready for the start of the season," Lawrence declared. "I am not worried about that.
"It's about getting it done and over with."
The road back from surgery hasn't begun yet. This day was about celebrating.
"The contract is a big accomplishment, but my goal is still to have a gold jacket," Lawrence said of his Hall of Fame aspirations. "That's what I'm hitting on.
"I'm so honored just to be a Cowboy and to be able to do it here. I've got a lot of work to keep doing. I've just got to keep building, keep building on my resume.
"You never know, they might give me a third contract or something."
